Aghbar Mine, Bou Azzer, Morocco, Africa
1.8 x 1.4 x 1.2 inches
SOLD ON EBAY

An absolutely incredible example of this rare and beautiful species! This specimen hosts numerous glassy, gemmy crystals up to .6"! This extraordinary specimen consists of two vugs that are completely lined with gemmy scorodite and several small patches of tiny tan botryoidal groups of karibibite. These amazing scorodite crystals range in color from an almost indescribable blue, to purplish blue. As if this impressive range of intense gemmy color wasn't enough, in much the same fashion as alexandrite, THE SCORODITE CRYSTALS CHANGE COLOR! Indoors this specimen shows more purplish-blue coloration, however outdoors the color just explodes into an amazing display of intense blue green! (For some reason, digital cameras "see" minerals in a different way than the human eye does. This is particularly true for alexandrite and, as it turns out, with scorodite.) In the pics, the crystals show up as more purple than blue, however in person they are much, much more blue with only patches of purple to purple blue color. In addition to the amazing color of these crystals, the clarity, luster, and crystal size and form are absolutely fantastic as well. The clarity ranges from high translucent to pure gem. The luster is super-glassy - it would literally be impossible for these crystals to be glassier. The crystals have fascinating complex habits and exquisite, razor-sharp form. The karibibite crystals provide a terrific contrast to the colorful scorodite crystals. The karibibite crystals consist of little golden yellow, botryoidal crystals that partially line the vug of scorodite crystals. There even a few examples where there are a few sphericules of karibibite completely suspended within the scorodite. There is simply no way to capture every amazing detail of this extraordinary specimen in just a few pictures and paragraphs of text. This specimen was better than any Moroccon scorodite specimen that I saw in Tucson this year (and there were only a very few!), actually I cannot think of a better one that I have seen in quite some time. My Moroccan friend had related to me that in his 20 plus years he has only obtained six or so high quality scorodite specimens! It is easy to understand why this rare species is so highly sought after, aside from having incredible aesthetic form and luster, the incredible and intense color is simply unlike anything else in the mineral kingdom and absolutely defies description!